CU’s Boyle looks forward to returning to Eugene, where his college career began

Posted By Tom Kensler On February 28, 2012 @ 12:50 pm In College Basketball,Pac-12,University of Colorado | No Comments

Colorado coach Tad Boyle looks forward to seeing Oregon’s new basketball facility, Matthew Knight Arena, but there’s no question his mind will wander in Eugene on Thursday with thoughts about McArthur Court, the Ducks’ home until last season.

Boyle got his feet wet in the college game prior to the 1994-95 season, when, at the urging of current Maryland coach Mark Turgeon, Boyle took an entry level job (called “reduced earnings” in those days) at Oregon. Turgeon was an Oregon assistant at the time. Boyle and Turgeon were backcourt teammates at Kansas during their playing days.

Colorado (19-9, 11-5 Pac-12) plays Thursday at Oregon (20-8, 11-5) in a game (8:30 p.m., ROOT) that may have seeding implications for next week’s Pac-12 tournament in Los Angeles.

“I have great memories of Oregon; my wife (the former Ann Schell of Greeley) and I got married there,” Boyle said Tuesday on the Pac-12 teleconference.

“Our reception was in Autzen Stadium (Oregon’s football home). I took a Northern Colorado team back to Eugene and played in “Mac Court” so I’m looking forward to seeing Matthew Knight Arena.”

Boyle spent three seasons in Eugene under coach Jerry Green, whom he followed to Tennessee.

“I learned a lot from Coach Green, the first guy I worked for at the collegiate level,” Boyle said. “And Mark Turgeon, I’ve known for my adult life. He’s a great friend (Boyle later coached under Turgeon at Jacksonville State in Alabama, and at Wichita State) and has had a great influence on me.

“I’m looking forward to seeing old friends back in Eugene. There are a lot of great people there. And I thought Mac Court was one of the greatest college basketball facilities, and I’ve seen a lot of them. But it’s not about me. It’s about our team.”

Article printed from The Field House: http://blogs.denverpost.com/colleges